National health officials are encouraging all Americans older than 6 months to get vaccinated for the flu this year (read the story). The recommendation was announced during an influenza press conference sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

This year we think that the three strains of influenza in the flu vaccine are going to be excellent matches with the flu that’s circulating.

Our reporter Heidi Splete was at the press conference and spoke with Dr. Daniel Jernigan, who is the deputy director for the CDC′s influenza division, about why it’s important for physicians and their staff to be vaccinated against the flu. She also spoke with Dr. Judith S. Palfrey, immediate past president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, about giving the flu vaccine to children at the same time as other vaccines. Finally, she spoke with Dr. William Schaffner, president of the NFID, about the availability of the the flu vaccine at grocery and drug stores.